Thu. Oct 10th, 2024

Smile Train, the international children’s cleft charity, is excited to announce that their annual fundraising event, the Big Smile Tea Party, will be returning this year – just in time for the Easter festivities.

Launching on Monday 15th April, the Big Smile Tea Party encourages friends, families, colleagues and students all over the UK, to come together and host an internationally-themed tea party, whilst raising vital funds for children with clefts in need of treatment.

Many children around the world with clefts do not have access to proper treatment, which can impact their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To tackle this issue, Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with the training, funding and resources needed to provide 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children in their own communities.

Funds raised through the Big Smile Tea Party will go towards cleft programmes for children in need, giving these children the opportunity to live healthy and productive lives. So, tie up your aprons, put on your Easter ears, and whip up some treats using your favourite international ingredients to help change the world one smile at a time.

Complimentary fundraising kits are available to order at smiletrain.org.uk/bigsmileteaparty for anyone who is eager to take part. The kits contain all the essentials you need for a successful tea party, including Smile Train posters, balloons, stickers, a collection box, and recipes inspired by the countries where Smile Train has local partnerships.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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